THE CIVIL SERVICE

Otago Witness, Issue 3511, 28 June 1921, Page 24

THE CIVIL SERVICE

SUPER ANNUITANTS’ CONFERENCE. WELLINGTON. June 15. Delegates from all over New Zealand were present to-day at the oponing of a conference of the New Zealand Superannuated Civil Servants’ Association. The Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright) briefly welcomed the delegates on behalf of the citizens of Wellington. He spoke of the great work done by retired civil servants in the past, and said they were entitled to more consideration than they had received from the Government, The action of the Government suffered very much in comparison with what had been done for retired eivil servants by the British Government, Dr A. K. Newman and Sir John Luke, M.P., both their sympathy with the hard lot of civil servants. Captain Barclay, president of the Wellington Association, replying on- behalf of the conference, said he felt they could start the meeting with a feeling that they had the backing of men of mature experience. Captain Barclay was unanimously elected president of the conference, and. in his opening address, reviewed the history of the association. He emphasised the fact that whatever “the word of sympathy ” of the Government might be, it was in strong contrast with its ‘action of sympathy.’’ Displaying a form that members of the association are now required to fill up if they desire to secure the bonus, he asked what it meant? It was, he said, an offence, and an exasperation. A definite refusal on the part of the Government would have been comprehensible and understandable, but what had occurred was not. The Prime Minister had carried out his promise to widows, but official attitude to other annuitants was humiliating. The Prime Minister had ear-marked £IOO,OOO for the purpose of a bonus, but do what they could members of the association could not secure any information as to whether or not this amount had been expended. The Government, considering the strain of the past few years, had enough money, but the funds were badly managed. Wlggt the association desired to do was to secure the support of the public. On the motion of Mr Gilbert, who represented Auckland, seconded bv Mr Girling Butcher (Wellington), it was decided to form a United Federation of the Association of Superannuated Public Servants (General Service. Post and Telegraph, Railways and the Education Department). The following officers were elected :—President, Captain Barclay (Wellington) : secretary and treasurer. Mr George Worsfold (Wellington) ; delegates—Messrs J. B. Armit. 11. E. Gilbert, Girling Butcher. E. G. Hyde W. Makin. F. W. Mansfield, and F. 'W. Rev-ell. The election of delegates to represent other branches was left to the branches concerned.